Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Newsom Says He's Scaling Back His Health Care Plans. Here Are The Arguments Against
California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks in front of the hospital ship USNS Mercy, which arrived at the Port of Los Angeles to provide relief for Southland hospitals overwhelmed by the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Carolyn Cole-Pool/Getty Images)
()
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.
In January, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled ambitious proposals to help him achieve his goal of getting every Californian health care coverage. But then the novel coronavirus swept in, decimating those ambitions.
The state has already begun draining its $21 billion rainy-day fund to help with the coronavirus response, and Newsom now says he has no choice but to scale back his initial $222 billion state budget proposal.
But Democratic lawmakers, local health officials, advocates, and lobbyists say this is no time to abandon a health care overhaul, and that proposals to expand coverage and access are even more pressing because of COVID-19.
Support for LAist comes from
Among the arguments and demands on the governor:
- Advocates and lobbyists want Newsom to stick with the existing proposals, such as protecting people from getting hit with surprise medical bills. They also want him to expand coverage even more and increase state subsidies for insurance.
- Doctor groups are asking the governor to provide relief for health care providers who have lost income due to declines in patient revenue.
- Organized labor is asking him to assist businesses so they don't cut health employee health benefits.
- County behavioral health directors argue the state must fund more mental health and substance use disorder treatment because the need is greater today, especially for students who can't attend school and for those who have lost homes and work.
- Some Democratic lawmakers argue that the workers providing us with products and services and the food we eat may not have insurance, and that represents a risk to all of us. Sen. Maria Elena Durazo of L.A. argues for expanding Medicaid coverage to unauthorized immigrants over 65. And Sen. Richard Pan of Sacramento notes that "every person who can't get health care and gets sick could potentially spread the disease to more people."
- But other Democratic lawmakers acknowledge they must reimagine their health care agenda, including state Assembly member Phil Ting of San Francisco, who says "we're going to have to be very disciplined."
Although Newsom has sought to quell the spending push by health advocates, he said Saturday that health care remains a top priority and he's "committed" to adopting reforms within California's budgetary constraints — even if it might not happen this year.
GO DEEPER:
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning. -
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority.
-
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding.
-
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline.
-
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist